“The face of President Florentino Pérez says it all,” was a phrase that was repeated on television, radio and the press on Sunday night and until Monday morning in Spain, after Real Madrid was defeated 5-2 against Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. However, there is more to read between the lines in Pérez’s expression, according to the latest news from the Spanish capital.
While Carlo Ancelotti is not in imminent danger of losing his job, Real Madrid are considering taking action. Diario AS reports that Real Madrid will reevaluate entering the January transfer market to reinforce the squad in light of the events in Jeddah. Aurelien Tchouameni has shown he struggles on big occasions at centre-back, and Lucas Vázquez has once again been exposed at right-back – those are the two areas Real Madrid will consider improving in the transfer window.
The club are considering entering the market, whether in a new attempt to sign Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold or not. His other alternative is to recommend that Ancelotti redouble his commitment to using the talents of the Castilla youth team. Raúl Asencio has shown signs of promise and could be an answer in central defense. Pérez and CEO José Ángel Sánchez generally believe there is little value in the January market, but this time they could be forced to act.
Depending on how his recovery progresses, David Alaba could be the eventual answer in the final stretch of the season, with his return scheduled for this week. Asencio has certainly looked at home during his appearances this season, although Ancelotti is fiercely loyal to Tchouameni and has shown a tendency to use senior options wherever possible.